System for storing starting addresses of a buffer RAM and different fonts of a character ROM upon energization of the printer

Claim 1

A method of utilizing a memory installed in a printer adapted to be connected with a host computer system wherein the memory receives and stores first and second data from said host computer system, said first data defining printing characteristics such as character format of the printer and said second data to be printed comprising the steps of: detecting an energization of said printer; assigning continuous address spaces to a character generator ROM, for generating respective fonts comprising different typefaces, a buffer RAM for storing said first and second data from said host system and an empty area in an address space of said memory, respectively, and assigning a continuous address space to said buffer RAM as a whole such that said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM sandwich said empty area in said continuous address spaces; in response to said energization of said printer, sequentially searching said address spaces of said character generator ROM, said buffer RAM and said empty area; and detecting an identification code and a start address of each of a plurality of character sets stored in said character generator ROM, and start and end addresses of said buffer RAM, and storing said identification codes and said start addresses of said plurality of character sets and said start end addresses of said buffer RAM; whereby said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM can be expanded in a continuous manner into said empty area.

Claim 2

A method of utilizing a memory installed in a printer adapted to be connected with a host computer system wherein the memory receives and stores first and second data from said host computer system, said first data defining printing characteristics such as character format of the printer and said second data to be printed comprising the steps of: detecting an energization of said printer; assigning continuous address spaces to a character generator ROM, for generating respective fonts comprising different typefaces, a buffer RAM for storing said first and second data from said host system and an empty area in an address space of said memory, respectively, and assigning a continuous address space to said buffer RAM as a whole such that said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM sandwich said empty area in said continuous address spaces; in response to said energization of said printer, sequentially searching said address spaces of said character generator ROM, said buffer RAM and said empty area; and detecting an identification code and a start address of each of a plurality of character sets stored in said character generator ROM, and start and end addresses of said buffer RAM, and storing said identification codes and said start addresses of said plurality of character sets and said start end addresses of said buffer RAM; whereby said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM can be expanded in a continuous manner into said empty area.

Claim 7

An apparatus for utilizing a memory installed in a printer adapted to be connected with a host computer system wherein the memory receives and stores first and second data from said host computer system, said first data defining printing characteristics such as character format of the printer and said second data to be printed, comprising: means for detecting an energization of said printer; memory means including a character generator ROM, for generating respective fonts comprising different typefaces, a buffer RAM for storing said first and second data from said host system and an empty memory area assigned continuous address areas respectively in a memory space in said memory means, said buffer RAM as a whole being assigned a continuous address area such that said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM sandwich said empty area in said continuous address spaces; searching means for sequentially searching said address spaces of said character generator ROM, said buffer RAM and said empty area in response to said energization of said printer; means for detecting an identification code and a start address of each of a plurality of character sets stored in said character generator ROM, and start and end addresses of said buffer RAM; and means for storing detection results from said detection means; whereby said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM can be expanded in a continuous manner into said empty area.

Claim 8

An apparatus for utilizing a memory installed in a printer adapted to be connected with a host computer system wherein the memory receives and stores first and second data from said host computer system, said first data defining printing characteristics such as character format of the printer and said second data to be printed, comprising: means for detecting an energization of said printer; memory means including a character generator ROM, for generating respective fonts comprising different typefaces, a buffer RAM for storing said first and second data from said host system and an empty memory area assigned continuous address areas respectively in a memory space in said memory means, said buffer RAM as a whole being assigned a continuous address area such that said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM sandwich said empty area in said continuous address spaces; searching means for sequentially searching said address spaces of said character generator ROM, said buffer RAM and said empty area in response to said energization of said printer; means for detecting an identification code and a start address of each of a plurality of character sets stored in said character generator ROM, and start and end addresses of said buffer RAM; and means for storing detection results from said detection means; whereby said character generator ROM and said buffer RAM can be expanded in a continuous manner into said empty area.